Stranded in the chaos - being evacuated by military plane

 

New Caledonia
The tourists are being evacuated away from the unrest - in military aircraft

Ellen Sundstrom

Published 12.26

French tourists have begun to be evacuated from New Caledonia by military plane.

The tourists have been stranded on the archipelago for over ten days due to violent riots.

- The wait was endless, says tourist Audrey to French BFMTV.

La Tontouta airport has been closed since May 14, which has resulted in the cancellation of all commercial flights.

On Saturday, however, tourists could begin to leave the French colony in the Pacific with the help of French military aircraft. The trips go to Australia and New Zealand, where tourists can take commercial flights home.

The governments of Australia and New Zealand had already sent flights to bring their citizens home on Tuesday.

 

           

           

          New Zealand sent military planes to bring tourists home.
          Queue of one of the plans sent out.
          1 / 2Photo: Michael Craig / AP
 

"stuck"

Tourist Audrey arrived in New Caledonia's capital Nouméa to visit her best friend.

- The conflict broke out and I got stuck, she says to French BFMTV.

Her flight home was scheduled for May 17.

- The wait was endless because the reopening of the airport was postponed day by day, she says.

 

Australian tourists on their way home. Photo: Lac Adam Abela / AP

Controversial change in law

Since mid-May, riots and unrest have characterized the archipelago. Protests erupted after a law change in the French constitution allows residents who have lived in New Caledonia for ten years to vote in the provincial election. Something that is perceived as a threat to the indigenous population's share of the vote.

France has called in elite forces and hundreds have been injured in the violence. A total of seven people have died, the latest death involving a man in conflict with a police officer at a roadblock, Le Monde reports.

- The situation in New Caledonia is very tense, with looting, riots, fires and violent attacks, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said last week according to Reuters.

Since mid-May, riots and unrest have characterized New Caledonia. Photo: Nicolas Job / AP

Promised to restore order

On Thursday, French Presiden French President Emmanuel Macron visited New Caledonia and promised to restore order within days. He also assured that the reform will not take effect, but the separatists are skeptical.

- For us, he has to withdraw the law change, that's all, says Dareawa Dianou to BFMTV.